Intelligent cash box system and method for transmitting code information

ABSTRACT

An intelligent cash box system is provided which comprises: a validator  2  attached in a bill handling apparatus  1;  a detection sensor  45  mounted in validator  2;  a control circuit  47  connected to detection sensor  45;  a card  3  bearing at least a code recorded on card  3  for identifying bill handling apparatus  1;  a stacker  4  attached to validator  2  for accumulating bills  44  considered as genuine by validator  2;  and an intelligent storage  5  provided in stacker  4.  The card  3  can be inserted into validator  2  so that detection sensor  45  detects the code on card  3  and bill information on bill  44,  and forwards the code and bill information to control circuit  47  which then transmits the code and bill information to intelligent storage  5  for storage therein. The code information identifies bill handling apparatus  1  from which stacker  4  is removed, and the bill information enables to collate an amount of collected bills in a plurality of stackers  4  with an amount of bills considered genuine and stored in stackers  4  without connection of validator  2  to any control host computer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of co-pending applicationSer. No. 10/702,533 which was filed on Nov. 5, 2003 entitled BILLHANDLING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING CODE INFORMATION, By KojiKuroiwa et al.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to bill handling technology, inparticular, an intelligent cash box system and a method for transmittingcode information for identifying a bill handling apparatus from which astacker is recovered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,755 issued to Michael Walsh discloses asoft count tracking system for a currency operated host gaming machine.This soft count tracking system comprises an identification adapterprovided with an integral active electronic component adapted to store aunique serial number, means for placing the identification adapter indata communication with the host machine, a currency note validator withmicrocontroller, means for placing the currency note validator in datacommunication with the identification adapter for interrogating theidentification adapter for identification number, a storage mechanismthat includes integral nonvolatile storage memory means, and means forplacing the storage mechanism in data communication with the currencynote validator thereby to receive and hold information from theidentification adapter, and a soft count supervisor adapted to be placedin detachable data communication with the memory means to interrogateand extract data from the same. The soft count supervisor comprises acomputer, including software means to provide spread sheet datamanipulation of the data extracted from the memory means. This system,however, is disadvantageous in that it involves a complicated structuralsystem that may sometimes induce malfunction because the system requiresan on-line connection of a host computer, a validator and a stacker totransfer necessary information therebetween via conversion software.

An object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent cash boxsystem and a method for transmitting code information for identifying abill handling apparatus from which a stacker is recovered. Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide an intelligent cash boxsystem and a method for transmitting bill information capable ofcollating an amount of collected bills in a plurality of stackers withan amount of bills considered genuine and stored in the stackers withoutconnection of the validators to any control host computer. Still anotherobject of the present invention is to provide an intelligent cash boxsystem that comprises a validator and a stacker removably attached tothe validator to transmit necessary information from a control circuitin the validator to an intelligent storage in the stacker in non-contactcommunication between the control circuit and intelligent storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An intelligent cash box system according to the present inventioncomprises: validating means (2) attached in a bill handling apparatus(1); sensing means (45) mounted in the validating means (2); controlmeans (47) connected to the sensing means (45) ; a card (3) bearing atleast a code recorded on the card (3) for identifying the bill handlingapparatus (1); stacking means (4) attached to the validating means (2)for accumulating bills (44) considered as genuine by the validatingmeans (2); and an intelligent storage (5) provided in the stacking means(4). The card (3) can be inserted into the validating means (2) so thatthe sensing means (45) detects the code on the card (3) and billinformation on the bill (44), and forwards the code and bill informationto the control means (47) which then transmits the code and billinformation to the intelligent storage (5) for storage therein. The codeinformation identifies the bill handling apparatus (1) from which thestacking means (4) is removed, and the bill information enables tocollate an amount of collected bills in a plurality of the stackingmeans (4) with an amount of bills (44) considered genuine and stored inthe stacking means (4) without connection of the validating means (2) toany control host computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following description in connectionwith preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a prior art bill handling apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of drive mechanism in the bill handlingapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit used in the bill handling apparatus shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the bill handling apparatus with a pushplate moved to the acceptant position.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the bill handling apparatus with the pushplate moved to the stacked position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the bill handling apparatus with a stackerremoved from the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of attachment and stack levers both in theoriginal position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the attachment lever in the operativeposition and the stack lever in the original position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the attachment and stack levers both inthe operative position.

FIG. 10 is an electric circuit of an intelligent cash box according tothe present invention through photocoupler communication between avalidator and a stacker.

FIG. 11 is an electric circuit of the intelligent cash box according tothe present invention through photocoupler communication between thestacker and an information collector.

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the stacker.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the stacker.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the stacker.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a sequence for collecting bills from thestacker of the bill handling apparatus.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a prior art bill handling apparatus 1 comprises avalidator 2 provided with an inlet 11 into which a bill 44 is inserted,and a stacker 4 defining a storage chamber 30 for accumulating bills 44considered genuine by validator 2. Validator 2 comprises a convey device26 for transporting bill 44 inserted from inlet 11 along a generallyL-shaped passageway 13 extending from inlet 11 to an outlet 12, and acontrol circuit 47 provided in validator 2 for supplying convey device26 with drive signals. Convey device 26 and control circuit 47 providedin validator 2 are disposed in an L-shaped frame 25 made of metallicpanels. Convey device 26 comprises convey belts 14 for transporting bill44 along passageway 13, and drive pulleys 15 for driving convey belts14, and a plurality of idle rollers 16 to 19 for supporting convey belts14.

Provided in the vicinity of passageway 13 is a detection sensor 45 thatcomprises an optical sensor 20 for detecting an optical feature of bill44 moving along passageway 13, and a magnetic sensor 21 for detecting amagnetic feature of bill 44. A pinch roller 22 is positioned opposite tothe magnetic sensor 21 to push bill 44 toward magnetic sensor 21. Inletsensor 23 located at inlet 11 detects insertion of bill 44 into inlet11. An outlet sensor 24 located at outlet 12 detects discharge of bill44 from validator 2. For example, each of inlet sensor 23 and outletsensor 24 comprises photocoupler of light emitting diode andphoto-transistor, and optical sensor 20 comprises photocoupler ofinfrared ray emitting diode and photo-transistor.

Removably attached to a bottom of validator 2 is portable or mobilestacker 4 that, as illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a cash box 6 formedwith a storage chamber 30 and a housing 31. Storage chamber 30 receivesa back plate 33 and a compression spring 34 for resiliently urging backplate 33 toward housing 31. A pusher 35 is mounted in housing 31 topress supplied bill 44 into cash box 6. Pusher 35 comprises a push plate37 for pressing bill 44 into storage chamber 30, a link mechanism 36connected to push plate 37 at the one end for driving push plate 37, anda rack 38 connected to the other end of link mechanism 36. Linkmechanism 36 comprises a pair of links 41, 42 connected to each other toform an X shape. Link 41 has one end 41 a rotatably connected to pushplate 37 and the other end 41 b rotatably connected to cash box 6. Link42 has one end 42 a rotatably connected to push plate 37 and the otherend 42 b rotatably connected to rack 38 that is meshed with a pinion 43driven by a convey motor 50 provided in validator 2.

Connected to output shaft of convey motor 50 is a rotary encoder 51 thatproduces pulse signals in response to rotation of convey motor 50 tocount the pulse signals from rotary encoder 51 by any pulse detector(not shown) in order to determine the moved position of bill 44 alongpassageway 13. Output gear 50 a mounted on output shaft of convey motor50 is drivingly connected to a first gear 52 mounted on a first shaft 53through a reduction device 60. A second gear 54 mounted on first shaft53 is engaged with a third gear 55 protruded from validator 2. Thirdgear 55 is drivingly connected to a sixth gear 58 through fourth andfifth gears 56 and 57. A sixth gear 58 has a pinion shaft 59 on whichpinion 43 is mounted.

Accordingly, when convey motor 50 is rotated in one direction, rack 38is upwardly moved as shown in FIG. 3 to the upward position, while pushplate 37 is moved away from a channel 32 a to allow bill 44 to be movedbetween push plate 37 and back plate 33 from channel 32 a in cash box 6.In this condition, when convey motor 50 is rotated in the otherdirection, rack 38 is downwardly moved, while push plate 37 is movedtoward back plate 33 through link mechanism 36, and therefore, pushplate 37 can press bill 44 supplied through channel 32 a into cash box6.

As shown in FIG. 7, an attachment lever 70 and a stack lever 71 have agenerally similar shape, and are rotatably mounted on shafts 72, 73mounted on frame 25 between the original position shown in FIG. 7 andoperative position shown in FIG. 9. Attachment lever 70 has a round end70 a to which a cam portion 74 of stacker 4 may be brought into contact.Stack lever 71 has a round end 71 a to which an end 38 a of rack 38 maybe brought into contact.

As shown in FIG. 8, upper end 38 a of rack 38 extends through an opening74 a of cam portion 74 to be brought into contact to round end 71 a ofstack lever 71. Also, attachment lever 70 and stack lever 71 areresiliently urged toward their original positions respectively bysprings 75, 76. In the original position, the other end 70 b ofattachment lever 70 is positioned within an attachment sensor 80 oflight emitting diode and light receiving transistor. Also, in theoriginal position, the other end 71 b of stack lever 71 is positionedwithin stack sensor 81 of light emitting diode and light receivingtransistor. When stacker 4 is not attached in frame 25, attachment lever70 is in the original position shown in FIG. 7. When stacker 4 isattached in frame 25 as shown in FIG. 5, cam portion 74 comes intocontact to round end 70 a of attachment lever 70 to rotate attachmentlever 70 in the clockwise direction from the original position of FIG. 7to the operative position of FIGS. 8 and 9 against resilient force ofspring 75 and self-weight of attachment lever 70 so that attachmentsensor 80 detects attachment of stacker 4 to validator 2 because theother end 70 b of attachment lever 70 is removed from attachment sensor80.

Push plate 37 is in the blocking position shown in FIG. 1 wherein pushplate 37 covers channel 32 a of cash box 6 to prevent unauthorizeddrawing of bill 44 from stacker 4. When rack 38 is moved to the downwardposition of FIG. 5, push plate 37 presses bill 44 to the stackedposition to release the engagement of rack 38 with stack lever 71 thatis then retuned to the original position of FIG. 6. Adversely, when rack38 is moved to the upward position, push plate 37 is moved to theacceptant position of FIG. 4 to receive bill 44, rack 38 moves stacklever 71 to the operative position of FIG. 9 against resilient force ofspring 76 and own weight of stack lever 71. In lieu of attachment lever70 and stack lever 71 rotatably mounted on frame 25, other means may beprovided for example such as attachment rod and stack rod each slidableon frame 25.

As shown in FIG. 3, in a prior art bill handling apparatus 1, an inletsensor 23, an optical sensor 20, attachment sensor 80 and stack sensor81 are connected through an amplifier 48 to input terminals of a controlcircuit 47 whose output terminal is connected to a motor control circuit46 for controlling a convey motor 50. Upon insertion of bill 44 intoinlet 11, detection sensor 45 detects physical feature, namely opticaland magnetic patterns of bill 44 routed to control circuit 47 thatvalidates bill 44 and decides denomination of bill 44 in view ofelectric signals indicative of physical feature of bill 44. The readdata is stored in control circuit 47 as bill information.

When bill 44 is inserted into inlet 11 of validator 2, inlet sensor 23detects insertion of bill 44 to produce a detection signal to inputterminal of control circuit 47 through amplifier 48. At the moment,control circuit 47 forwards a drive signal to motor control circuit 46of convey device 26 to drive convey motor 50 and drive pulley 15 in theforward direction so that convey belts 14 carries bill 44 inwardly alongpassageway 13.

Then, convey motor 5 is rotated in one direction to upwardly move rack38 as shown in FIG. 4 and simultaneously move push plate 37 from theblocking position to the acceptant position so that bill 44 is carriedin the standby position from channel 32 a between back plate 33 and pushplate 37. Discharge sensor 24 detects arrival of bill 44 at the standbyposition. Here, when convey motor 50 is rotated in the adversedirection, rack 38 is downwardly moved and bill 44 is pressed into cashbox 6 by push plate 37 that is urged toward back plate 33 by linkmechanism 36. Stack lever 71 of FIG. 7 automatically detects movement ofpush plate 37 to certainly and forcibly put bill 44 into cash box 6 byoperation of push plate 37 at the accurate timing.

Meanwhile, personnel must collect stackers housed in bill handlingapparatuses such as parent gamming machine, for example, a slot machine,keeping sufficient security in cooperation of several people. In thiscase, while one of them takes stacker 4 out of gamming machine, anothershould put the taken stacker 4 on a predetermined shelf of a container,and still another staff conveys the container in work allotment. If oneof staffs carelessly puts the stacker 4 on a wrong shelf of container,no longer or hardly it is possible to confirm on which gamming machinethe stacker 4 is removed from, and therefore, there is a defect thatprompt check cannot be made regarding agreement between a total amountof collected bills from stackers 4 and bill's amount recorded throughgamming machines.

FIG. 10 shows an electric circuit used in a new intelligent cash boxsystem according to the present invention that is provided invalidator 2and stacker 4 with an intelligent storage 5. In this system, controlcircuit 47 comprises a code memory 32 as a part thereof, and a validatorlight emitter 61 and a validator light receiver 63 each connected tocontrol circuit 47. Validator light emitter 61 comprises a transistor 64as a validator switching element, and a light emitting diode 62 as avalidator light emitting element connected to one of main terminals,namely an emitter of transistor 64. A control terminal, namely base oftransistor 64 is connected to control circuit 47, and the other of themain terminals, namely a collector is connected to a power source notshown. Validator light emitter 63 comprises a light receiving transistor65 connected to control circuit 47.

Intelligent storage 5 mounted in stacker 4 comprises a tracking memory99, a stack light emitter 66, a stack light receiver 67, a stack controlcircuit 87 connected to tracking memory 99, stack light receiver 66 andstack light emitter 67, and a battery 98 for supplying electric power toeach circuit of intelligent storage 5. In this embodiment, trackingmemory 99 has computing or calculating means for counting denominationor type and number of bills 44 scanned by detection sensor 45, butcontrol circuit 47 or code memory 32 may have similar computing orcalculating means for counting denomination or type and number of bills44 as required. Tracking memory 99 may be a part of stack controlcircuit 87.

Stack light emitter 66 comprises a transistor 86 as a stacker switchingelement, and a light emitting diode 85 as a stacker light emittingelement connected to emitter, one of main terminals of transistor 86.Control terminal or base of transistor 86 is connected to stack controlcircuit 87, and collector or the other of main terminals of transistor86 is grounded. Stack light receiver 67 comprises a light receivingtransistor 88 as a light receiving element, and a resistor 84 forgrounding emitter of light receiving transistor 88. Collector of lightreceiving transistor 88 is connected to stack control circuit 87.Connected in parallel relation to resistor 84 is a field effecttransistor (FET) 91 as a gate element whose gate is connected to acapacitor 93 and a light receiving transistor 90 as a noise sensor, andemitter of light receiving transistor 90.

When stacker 4 in the separated condition of FIG. 6 is attached tovalidator 2 as shown in FIG. 4, light emitting diode 62 of validatorlight emitter 61 is incorporated with light receiving transistor 88 ofintelligent storage 5 without contact to each other to form a firstphotocoupler as shown in FIG. 10. Likewise, light receiving transistor65 of validator light receiver 63 is incorporated with light emittingdiode 85 of intelligent storage 5 without contact to each other to forma second photocoupler. Light receiving transistor 65 receives lightpulses indicative of information from light emitting diode 85 to confirmthe status of stack control circuit 87 by control circuit 47 for exampleon whether previous information in tracking memory 99 has been deletedor whether unnecessary information is stored in tracking memory 99.

As shown in FIG. 11, an information collector 8 comprises a collectionlight emitter 39, a collection light receiver 40, a collection controlcircuit 94 connected to collection light emitter 39 and collection lightreceiver 40 at each input terminal, and a printer 27 connected to anoutput terminal of collection control circuit 94. Collection lightemitter 39 comprises a transistor 97 with a control terminal or baseconnected to collection control circuit 94, and a light emitting diode96 connected to emitter of transistor 97 whose collector is grounded.Collection light receiver 40 comprises a light receiving transistor 95connected between collection control circuit 94 and earth or ground.When intelligent storage 5 is positioned in front of informationcollector 8, as shown in FIG. 11, light receiving transistor 95 ofcollection light receiver 40 is incorporated with light emitting diode85 of intelligent storage 5 without contact to each other to form athird photocoupler for transmitting light pulses from stack lightemitter 66 to collection light receiver 44. Similarly, light emittingdiode 96 of collection light emitter 39 is mated with light receivingtransistor 88 of intelligent storage 5 in the non-contact condition toform a fourth photocoupler for transmitting light pulses from collectionlight emitter 39 to stack light receiver 67. For example, controlcircuit 47 confirms the status of stack control circuit 87 whethertracking memory 99 contains any information or unnecessary informationor whether tracking memory 99 can do its function well.

The method for transmitting code information according to the presentinvention is described hereinafter in connection with FIG. 15.Initially, as shown in FIG. 15 (a) , a printer 7 is connected to asupervising computer 28 to record a code on a card 3 by printer 7 andissue card 3 from printer 7 so that issued card 3 bears the recordedcode for identifying a specific bill handling apparatus, and the codecan be optically or magnetically read out by detection sensor 45. Forexample, the code is recorded with bar codes, symbols, numerals oralphabets on card 3 or by perforating card 3 to form a punch card todenote a machine number for identifying a parent slot machine.Preferably, the recorded code includes invisible, indecipherable orincomprehensible letters, devices, symbols or alphabets. Otherwise, thecode can be recorded on card 3 with ferrous ink to magnetically detectthe code for example with a magnetic head. In this embodiment, assume anentertainment area equipped with a number of gamming machines that eachhas a bill handling apparatus with a stacker 4 for accumulating bills 44to be collected. Each bill handling apparatus should store a code as asupervision number for identifying the gamming machine on which billhandling apparatus is mounted. To this end, supervising computer 28 withprinter 7 provides a card issue machine for dispensing cards 3 that bearrecorded or printed different codes for identifying the gamming machinesor validators 2.

Then, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), when issued card 3 is inserted into inlet11 of validator 2, inlet sensor 23 detects insertion of card 3 toproduce a detection signal to control circuit 47 that supplies drivesignals to motor control circuit 46. Accordingly, convey motor 50rotates in the forward direction to inwardly move card 3 alongpassageway 13 by driving convey belts 14, while detection sensor 45scans and converts the code on card 3 into electric signals to controlcircuit 47 to store the code in code memory 32. Then, control circuit 47provides motor control circuit 46 with reverse drive signals to rotateconvey motor 50 in the adverse direction so that card 3 is returned toinlet 11.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15 (c), stacker 4 with intelligent storage 5 isattached in position within frame 25 of validator 2 so that attachmentlever 70 rotates from the original position of FIG. 7 to the operativeposition of FIG. 9, and attachment sensor 80 detects installation ofstacker 4 to generate a detection signal to control circuit 47.

After control circuit 47 receives the detection signal from attachmentsensor 80, control circuit 47 forwards pulse array signals indicative ofcode data stored in code memory 32 to base of transistor 64 tointermittently drive transistor 64 in the ON-OFF mode. In this case,control circuit 47 receives parallel signals of code information storedin code memory 32, and converts them into series pulse array signalsindicated by binary code of “0” and “1” for base of transistor 64.Operation of transistor 64 in the ON-OFF mode causes light emittingdiode 62 to blink in accordance with series pulse array signals, andlight receiving transistor 88 receives optical pulse signals from lightemitting diode 62 and transmits them to stack control circuit 87 thatforwards the series signals to tracking memory 99 for storage therein ascode information.

After all code information is stored in stack control circuit 87 ortracking memory 99, stack control circuit 87 supplies drive signals tobase of transistor 86 to intermittently operate transistor 86 in theON-OFF mode and thereby cause light emitting diode 85 of intelligentstorage 5 to blink in the predetermined mode. Light receiving transistor65 of validator light receiver 63 receives light signals from lightemitting diode 85 and supplies them to control circuit 47 to confirmstorage of code information in stack control circuit 87 or trackingmemory 99. When light receiving transistor 90 receives disturbing lightbefore attachment of stacker 4 to frame 25, electric current flowsthrough light receiving transistor 90 to reduce gate voltage of FET 91that is then turned OFF so that pulse array signals are not routed tostack control circuit 87 although light receiving transistor 88 receiveslight signals from light emitting diode 62. Pulse array signals storedas code information in stack control circuit 87 or tracking memory 99cannot be decoded unless they are read out through a specific decodingsoftware.

After that, in use of gamming machine, users throw each bill 44 intoinlet 11 and detection sensor 45 detects physical feature of bill 44moving along passageway 13 and forwards it to control circuit 47 thatvalidates authenticity of bill 44. When control circuit 47 decides bill44 as genuine, bill 44 is accumulated in stacker 4. Control circuit 47transmits electric signals indicative of denomination or type and valueof genuine bill 44 as bill information to tracking memory 99 throughstacker control circuit 47 for storage of bill information in trackingmemory 99, each time bill 44 is stacked in stacker 4, while computingmeans in tracking memory 99 calculates total number or total of eachdenomination of stored bills 44. In this case, similarly to codeinformation, control circuit 47 converts parallel signals of billinformation into series pulse array signals indicated by binary code of“0” and “1”, and sends them to base of transistor 64. Operation oftransistor 64 in the ON-OFF mode causes light emitting diode 62 to blinkin accordance with the series pulse array signals, and light receivingtransistor 88 receives light signals from light emitting diode 62 andtransmits them to stack control circuit 87 and tracking memory 99 forstorage therein as bill information.

After all bill information is stored in stack control circuit 87 ortracking memory 99, stack control circuit 87 again supplies drivesignals to base of transistor 86 to intermittently operate transistor 86in the ON-OFF mode and thereby cause light emitting diode 85 ofintelligent storage 5 to blink in the predetermined mode so that lightreceiving transistor 65 of validator light receiver 63 receives lightsignals from light emitting diode 85 and supplies them to controlcircuit 47 to confirm storage of bill information in stack controlcircuit 87 or tracking memory 99. Alternatively, control circuit 47 maytransmit code and bill information to stack control circuit 87 ortracking memory 99 for storage of these information therein each timebill 44 is stacked in stacker 4, not when control circuit 47 receivesdetection signal from attachment sensor 80.

In collecting bills 44 preserved in stacker 4, an operator opens a door(not shown) of gamming machine, grips and pulls a handle 6 a provided ona front surface of intelligent cash box 6 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 toremove cash box 6 from stacker 4, and take out bills 44 from cash box 6.Handle 6 a is rotatably mounted around brackets 6 b on cash box 6.Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 15 (e), stacker 4 is turned upside downand put on information collector 8 in position to, as shown in FIG. 11,form the third photocoupler by combination of light receiving transistor95 of collector light receiver 40 and light emitting diode 85 ofintelligent storage 5 and the fourth photocoupler by combination oflight emitting diode 96 of collector light emitter 39 and lightreceiving transistor 88 of intelligent storage 5. Here, when collectioncontrol circuit 94 forwards drive signals to base of transistor 97 tocause light emitting diode 96 to flash in the specific ON-OFF mode ofcoded signals.

Under the condition, light receiving transistor 88 receives lightsignals from light emitting diode 96 to supply the coded signals tostack control circuit 87 that thereby provides base of transistor 86with drive signals to drive transistor 86 in the ON-OFF mode to transmitcode and bill information stored in tracking memory 99 to collectioncontrol circuit 94. In response to operation of transistor 86, lightemitting diode 85 flashes to generate light signals that are received bylight receiving transistor 95. Thus, collection control circuit 94provides printer 27 with code information for identifying the gammingmachine and bill information for indicating denomination or type andvalue of bills to record these information on sheet 9 by printer 27.

As shown in FIG. 15 (f), data printed on sheet 9 is then optically readby a scanner 10, and forwarded from scanner 10 to a confirmativecomputer 29. In this case, when bill information indicated on display ofconfirmative computer 29 corresponds to the number and denomination ortype of bills 44 collected from cash box 6 as mentioned above, the datais stored in confirmative computer 29 for supervision. Then, data storedin tracking memory 99 of stacker 4 is deleted when information collector8 finishes reading out data from tracking memory 99, when a reset switch(not shown) in stacker is operated or when light receiving transistor 88receives light signals from light emitting diode 62 after stacker 4 isattached to frame 25 for reuse of stacker 4, or in one of other cases.Without printing the information by printer 27, information collector 8may directly be connected to confirmative computer 29 via conductingwires to directly supply the information to confirmative computer 29 forinput or printing.

The embodiments according to the present invention can produce thefollowing advantages utilizing card 3 bearing code information:

[1] Code information received by information collector 8 serves topromptly and exactly identify the bill handling apparatus 1 from whichstacker 4 is removed.

[2] Bill handling apparatus 1 may have the simplified structure ofelectric circuits because there is no need for connecting controlcircuit 47 on line with supervising computer because validator 2 detectscode information indicated on card 3 for identifying bill handlingapparatus and store the information.

[3] Bill handling apparatus 1 or validator 2 does not require anyadditional hardware to receive code information because a commondetection sensor 45 can be used to discern bill's physical property andcode recorded on card 3 and to store the code in stacker 4.

[4] Prompt and accurate check can be made between collected bills andbill information stored in stacker 4.

[5] Code information for identifying bill handling apparatus 1 caneasily be changed by inserting a card 3 of a different code intovalidator 2 for storage of the code information.

[6] A code different from manufacture number of parent machine or billhandling apparatus can be recorded on card 3.

Moreover, the embodiments of the present invention can present thefollowing advantages utilizing photocouplers:

[1] There is no need of electric connection with jacks and plugs betweenvalidator 2 and stacker 4 and between stacker 4 and informationcollector 8, and stacker 4 can easily be attached to validator 2 andinformation collector 8.

[2] Non-contact transmission of bill information and code informationcan be made between validator 2 and stacker 4 and between stacker 4 andinformation collector 8 avoiding mechanical contact failure and damagefrom external electric impact.

[3] Two way communication by a pair of photocouplers between validator 2and stacker 4 and between stacker 4 and information collector 8 enablesconfirmation of failure of a mated device.

[4] Stacker 4 can be moved and attached to validator 2 together withintelligent storage 5.

[5] Stacker 4 can be compatible for reuse by erasing information intracking memory 99.

[6] Tracking memory 99 always stores data of current or updated amountof bills in stacker 4 because bill information is stored in real time intracking memory 99 each time bill 44 is pressed into stacker 4.

[7] No information can be read out from tracking memory 99 withoutphotocouplers conforming to stacker 4 and exclusive software applied toinformation collector 8 for decoding pulse array signals from stacker 4,for improved security and prevention of unauthorized informationretrieval.

[8] Tracking memory 99 has the function for storing, adding andcomputing bill information.

The foregoing embodiment shows an example of the present inventionapplied to a bill handling apparatus of gamming machine such as slotmachine, however, it should be understood that the present inventionalso can be applied to cash dispensers, vending machines, exchangers orother bill handling machines installed in banks, amusement facilities orother transaction areas. Also, in lieu of bills, coupons, scrip, tokensmay be used to validate and stack them and store the amount or totalamount of them in a similar method.

1. An intelligent cash box system comprising: validating means attachedin a bill handling apparatus; sensing means mounted in said validatingmeans; control means connected to said sensing means; a card bearing atleast a code recorded on said card for identifying said bill handlingapparatus; stacking means attached to said validating means foraccumulating bills considered as genuine by said validating means; andan intelligent storage provided in the stacking means; wherein the cardcan be inserted into said validating means so that said sensing meansdetects the code on the card and bill information on the bill, andforwards the code and bill information to said control means which thentransmits the code and bill information to the intelligent storage forstorage therein.
 2. The intelligent cash box system of claim 1, whereinthe stacking means is detachably mounted in said validating means; saidvalidating means validates authenticity of the bills inserted therein;said control means stores the code recorded on the card as codeinformation; bill information includes data of the bills accumulated ina storage chamber of said stacking means.
 3. The intelligent cash boxsystem of claim 1, wherein said validating means comprises conveyingmeans for transporting the bill inserted into an inlet of saidvalidating means along a passageway, said sensing means detects aphysical feature of the transported bill to produce electric signalsindicative of the bill's physical feature, said control means atteststhe bill based on output signals of said sensing means and also forwardsdrive signals to said conveying means; said stacking means comprises astorage chamber for receiving and accumulating the bills consideredgenuine by the control means and transmitted by the conveying meansthrough the passageway to the storage chamber.
 4. The intelligent cashbox system of claim 1, further comprising information collecting meansprovided independently from said validating means for receiving saidcode and bill information from the intelligent storage of said stackingmeans removed from said validating means.
 5. The intelligent cash boxsystem of claim 1, further comprising a card issue machine for recordingthe code on said card and issuing said card.
 6. The intelligent cash boxsystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of said control means andintelligent storage comprises computing means for calculating the numberand kind or denomination of the bills detected by said sensing means. 7.The intelligent cash box system of claim 5, wherein said card issuemachine prints or records on said card the code selected from the groupsconsisting of bar codes, symbols, numerals or alphabets or makesperforates to form a punch card, or mixtures thereof.
 8. The intelligentcash box system of claim 1, further comprising photocoupler meansprovided between said control means and intelligent storage fortransmiting the code and bill information in the non-contact conditionof said control means and intelligent storage through said photocouplermeans.
 9. The intelligent cash box system of claim 1, further comprisingphotocoupler means provided between said intelligent storage and acollection control circuit for transmitting the code and billinformation in the non-contact condition of said intelligent storage andcollection control circuit through said photocoupler means.
 10. Theintelligent cash box system of claim 1, wherein said control meanscomprises a code memory for storing the code information, and saidintelligent storage comprises a tracking memory for storing the code andbill information.
 11. The intelligent cash box system of claim 4,wherein said validating means comprises a validator light emitterconnected to said control means, said intelligent storage comprises astack control circuit and a stack light receiver connected to said stackcontrol circuit, said stack light receiver is located opposite to and inspaced relation to said validator light emitter to provide a firstphotocoupler of said validator light emitter and stack light receiverafter said stacking means is attached to said validating means, saidstack control circuit receives light signals indicative of the code andbill information from said control means through said first photocouplerand stores these signals.
 12. The intelligent cash box system of claim4, wherein said validating means comprises a validator light receiverconnected to said control means, said intelligent storage comprises astack control circuit and a stack light emitter connected to said stackcontrol circuit, said stack light emitter is located opposite to and inspaced relation to said validator light receiver to provide a secondphotocoupler of said validator light receiver and stack light emitterwhen said stacking means is attached to said validating means, saidcontrol means receives light signals from said stack control circuit toconfirm the condition of said stack control circuit.
 13. The intelligentcash box system of claim 11, further comprising a noise sensor fordetecting disturbing light, and a gate element connected to said stacklight receiver, wherein electric current flows through said stack lightreceiver to receive the code and bill information by said stack controlcircuit through said first photocoupler, said gate element is turned OFFto restrict electric current flowing through said stack light receiverwhen said noise sensor detects disturbing light.
 14. The intelligentcash box system of claim 12, wherein said information collecting meanscomprises a collection control circuit and a collection light receiverconnected to said collection control circuit, said informationcollecting means receives said code and bill information from theintelligent storage of said stacking means through photocoupler means.15. The intelligent cash box system of claim 11, further comprising acollection control circuit for transmitting the code and billinformation in the non-contact condition of said intelligent storage andcollection control circuit through said photocoupler means, wherein astack light emitter of said stacking means is located opposite to and inspaced relation to a collection light receiver of said informationcollecting means to provide said photocoupler means of said stack lightemitter and said collection light receiver when said stacking means isattached to said information collecting means, said collection controlcircuit receives the bill information from said stack control circuit ofsaid stacking means through said photocoupler means.
 16. The intelligentcash box system of claim 11, wherein the code information stored in saidstack control circuit is forwarded to a collection control circuitthrough said photocoupler means, said collection control circuitreceives and displays the code information together with the billinformation.
 17. The intelligent cash box system of claim 11, whereinsaid information collecting means comprises a collection control circuitand a collector light emitter connected to said collection controlcircuit, said stack light receiver of said stacking means is locatedopposite to and in spaced relation to said collector light emitter ofsaid information collecting means to provide a third photocoupler, saidcollection control circuit forwards light signals to said stack controlcircuit through said third photocoupler to confirm the condition of saidstack control circuit by said collection control circuit.
 18. Theintelligent cash box system of claim 14, wherein said informationcollecting means comprises a collection control circuit and a collectionlight receiver connected to said collection control circuit, said stacklight emitter of said stacking means is located opposite to and inspaced relation to said collection light receiver of said informationcollecting means to provide a fourth photocoupler, said collectioncontrol circuit receives the code and bill information from said stackcontrol circuit.
 19. The intelligent cash box system of claim 2, whereinsaid stacking means comprises an intelligent cash box provided with saidstorage chamber and a housing, said housing receives a pusher forpressing the supplied bill into said intelligent cash box, and saidintelligent storage is attached outside said storage chamber.
 20. Theintelligent cash box system of claim 11, further comprising anattachment sensor in said validating means for detecting attachment ofsaid stacking means to said validating means to produce a detectionsignal, wherein said control means receives the detection signal fromsaid attachment sensor to forward the code information to said stackcontrol circuit through photocoupler means.
 21. A method fortransmitting information on bills comprising the steps of: inserting acard bearing a code for identifying a bill handling apparatus into aninlet of validating means; detecting the code by sensing means that isthen stored in a code memory as code information; attaching stackingmeans provided with an intelligent storage to a bill handling apparatus,and forwarding the code information in the code memory to saidintelligent storage to store the code information in said intelligentstorage.
 22. The method for transmitting information of claim 21,further comprising: inserting a bill into the inlet of said validatingmeans; conveying the bill along a passageway in said validating means;detecting a physical feature of the bill moving along said passagewayfor attesting the authenticity of the bill by control means provided insaid validating means; further conveying the bill considered to begenuine by said validating means to said stacking means to preserve thebill in said stacking means; and forwarding the bill information fromsaid control means to said intelligent storage to store the billinformation in said intelligent storage.
 23. The method of claim 21,further comprising transmitting the code and bill information from saidintelligent storage to information collecting means.
 24. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising: recording on said card a code foridentifying the bill handling apparatus; and issuing the card from acard issue machine for insertion of said card into the inlet of saidvalidating means of said bill handling apparatus.
 25. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the bill information is forwarded from said controlmeans to said intelligent storage, each time the stacking meanspreserves a bill therein, said bill information including type,denomination and value of the bill considered genuine.
 26. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising: computing and storing in said intelligentstorage the denomination and total number or total amount of billspreserved in said stacking means.
 27. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising: removing said stacking means from said validating means;collecting bills from said stacking means; communicating saidintelligent storage with a collection control circuit of informationcollecting means to transmit the code and bill information from saidintelligent storage to said collection control circuit.
 28. The methodof claim 23, further comprising deleting the code and bill informationstored in said intelligent storage after reading out these informationto said information collecting means.
 29. The method of claim 22,wherein the code information in the code memory is forwarded to saidintelligent storage through photocoupler means to store the codeinformation in said intelligent storage, the bill information isforwarded from said control means to said intelligent storage throughsaid photocoupler means to store the bill information in saidintelligent storage.
 30. The method of claim 21, wherein the code andbill information are transmitted from said intelligent storage toinformation collecting means through photocoupler means.